Nicholas Meyer Joins ‘How To Stop Nuclear War’ As An Executive Producer

Upcoming documentary, How To Stop A Nuclear War, just gained Nicholas Meyer as an executive producer. The documentary is based off the book Doomsday Machine: Confessions Of A Nuclear War Planner, written by the late Daniel Ellsberg. 

Nicholas Meyer comes from a background in making a movie based around nuclear war. His 1983 TV film, The Day After, depicted a nuclear attack on Kansas, and a war between the United States and the Soviet Union, with atomic weapons as the prime equipment. 

On top of a massive influence on its 100 million viewers, the film had a large impact on President Ronald Regan, who eventually would co-sign a peace treaty with Mikhail Gorbachev. 

Meyer, years after directing the film, reflects on the need for a cautionary tale once more, as Hollywood Reporter states. “We’re going to blow ourselves to kingdom come, it’s only a question of when and whether any of us are prepared to take any steps to mitigate or postpone this finale.” 

The new documentary, from director Paul Jay, closely follows author Ellsberg, who kept copies of classified documents during the Nixon administration and later leaked them to the New York Times and other outlets in 1971. Ellsberg was charged with breaking the Espionage Act, but due to government misconduct when finding evidence, the case was dismissed. The documentary also shows Ellsberg warning that nuclear weapons will always be a threat, with missiles being able to be launched within a few minutes notice. 

As well as directing The Day After, Meyer also helmed series highlights Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and co-wrote Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.